Living in Uruguay

Uruguay lies on the Atlantic coast of South America between Brazil and Argentina; around 3.4 million people live there. Expansive grasslands, gentle hills, rivers, and lagoons shape the country. The climate is temperate, with warm summers, changeable weather, and cooler winters; along the coast, the sea has a moderating effect. In Montevideo and other cities, many people live in apartments or low-rise houses, use buses, and do much of their daily business on foot. Outside the cities, cars are more important, and livestock farming, agriculture, industry, and services shape working life. Along the coast and in Montevideo, the beach, mate, football, and sharing meals are part of everyday life, while smaller places are quieter and more strongly shaped by their neighborhoods.